Like most kids her age, 9-year-old Rachel Wheeler is playfully spontaneous. But, she's also mindful of other kids who, unlike her, struggle every day, because they don't have a roof over their heads.

Rachel decided to do something about that.

"My mom was going on vacation with me and she had to go to a meeting at Food For The Poor, and I went along with her," said Rachel.

"Rachel kept raising her hand and I was like ‘oh no what are you going to ask?’ But she asked some really great questions," said Rachel’s mom Julie Wheeler.

Rachel asked how she could build homes for families in poverty stricken Haiti. The Food For The Poor CEO, Robin Mahfood, handed the fourth grader a book about ongoing projects in the region.

"She read that book to me in the car, and then she said, ‘mom we got to help that man, he's doing God's work,’ said Wheeler.

When Rachel found out it takes only $2,600 to build one new home for a family of four, she immediately launched a fundraising campaign.

"I told my classmates and my classmates told their family members," said Rachel.

"So within the first week, I think she raised close to $5,000," added Wheeler.

At first, Rachel was looking to build 13 new homes in Haiti. Now, she'd like to erect an entire village of 25 homes, complete with concrete foundations, louvered windows and solid roofs for better storm protection.

Rachel said she doesn't plan on hanging up her construction hat anytime soon.

"There's this lady and she has 80 houses, but she doesn't have a village,” said Rachel. “Eighty houses, that's the record, and I want to break that record."

It's all because Rachel said she’ll never break a promise.

"I'm proud that she's my kid,” said Wheeler. “I'm very proud."

Rachel’s already raised a little more than $17,000 to build homes. Her goal is $65,000. If you'd like to help Rachel and families in Haiti, log on to the Food For The Poor Web site www.foodforthepoor.org/rachel or call (954) 427-2222 and ask about the Rachel Wheeler project.